D’Youville, da Vinci Host Ribbon Cutting for Active Learning Center Classroom

D’Youville, da Vinci Host Ribbon Cutting for Active Learning Center Classroom

Today, D’Youville and Leonardo da Vinci High School officially unveiled the Steelcase Active Learning Center (ALC) classroom. The ALC is a state-of-the-art learning environment, modern modular furniture, and an abundance of natural light. Research suggests that active learning stimulates higher-order thinking skills, promotes engagement, and maximizes student achievement.

The joint application between D’Youville and da Vinci High School was one of only 12 educational institutions across the United States and Canada selected to receive the Active Learning Center Grant from Steelcase Education. The grant is valued at $67,000 and it provides for furniture, design, installation, and onsite educational training.  

“The Leonardo da Vinci High School Active Learning Center promotes high student engagement, creativity, and therefore achievement,” said Buffalo Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash. “This sophisticated classroom is a living laboratory that is innovative and inviting. I understand the students love it because it is comfortable and flexible, conforming to the way students learn today. On behalf of the Buffalo Public Schools, I thank D’Youville College President Dr. Lorrie Clemo for bringing this progressive model classroom to our students.” 

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Dr. Kriner Cash, superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, speaks at the Steelcase Active Learning Center ribbon cutting.

D’Youville will be an active and ongoing partner with da Vinci and Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) for the lifecycle of the grant. Teachers at da Vinci will keep a detailed journal of their classroom experiences and associate vice president of institutional effectiveness and planning, will be the principal investigator working with Steelcase Education to measure how the ALC influences instructors’ pedagogy and student learning. The data will be used to expand understanding of teacher preparation and provide a living laboratory to guide the deployment of active learning spaces across the Buffalo Public School system.  

“I am excited to use this first-hand data from da Vinci teachers to develop active learning centers in every school in the district,” said MacVie. “D’Youville is committed to social mobility through education and student success in college largely depends on the K-12 system. This classroom will help ensure that every BPS student has an engaging classroom experience that promotes learning for life,” she continued.  

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Lorrie Clemo, president of D'Youville, speaks at the Steelcase Active Learning Center ribbon cutting.

The Active Learning Grant from Steelcase is the latest collaboration between D’Youville and da Vinci High School. Located on D’Youville’s vibrant West Side campus, students at da Vinci can earn college credits through D’Youville while still in high school. The early college high school partnership aims to integrate curriculum, so students earn a minimum of 24 and up to 60 transferable credits, equivalent to an associate degree, at no cost to their families. 

Main Picture (l-r): Dr. Lorrie Clemo, president of D'Youville, Lorrie Schunk, Steelcase Inc; Dr. Kriner Cash, superintendent, Buffalo Public Schools.

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An inside look of the Steelcase Active Learning Center located in between D'Youville and Leonard da Vinci High School.